Just a heads up on something I found out today. Next month all cell phone numbers go public to telemarketers. You can register with the National Do Not Call List at 888-382-1222, you must call from the cell phone that you want blocked and it only takes a minute. I have already started to get calls from security alarm conpanies so I called and put a block on our two cell phones. Merry Christmas, Happy New Years and Happy Holidays to all!

The Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers in the near future, and that it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.

The truth about cell phones and the DNC Registry is:

* Contrary to the e-mail, cell phone numbers are NOT being released to telemarketers, and you will NOT soon be getting telemarketing calls on your cell phone. * There is NO deadline by which you must register your cell phone number on the Registry. * Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cell phones without their consent. * The national associations representing telemarketers have stated that their members do not intend to start calling consumers’ cell phones. * There is only ONE National DNC Registry. There is no separate registry for cell phones. * The DNC Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. You must call from the phone number that you want to register. If you register online, you must respond to a confirmation e-mail. * While the telecommunications industry has been discussing the possibility of creating a wireless 411 directory, according to the FCC, even if a wireless 411 directory is established, most telemarketing calls to cell phones would still be illegal, regardless of whether the number is listed on the federal government’s Do Not Call Registry.

Well I guess the heads up I got was nothng but a rumour. When I heard about this this cell phone numbers going public thing and after receiving a few calls on my cell phone about home security systems I just thought it had already started. If they call again I'll listen to the whole message and call them back and ask how they got my number. Sorry for the false alarm! Pete